Xoliswa Ngema, CEO of Joburg Theatre, says:

“This year’s pantomime continues our legacy of joyful, world-class storytelling for the whole family. With Janice Honeyman at the helm, we know audiences are in for a visual feast, plenty of surprises, and a heartfelt message at the core”.

Join us for a high-energy, heart-filled, and hilariously entertaining ride through the classic tale of the puppet who dreamed of becoming a real boy. Honeyman reimagines Carlo Collodi’s timeless story with her signature sparkle, big laughs, and just the right amount of mayhem.

“Pinocchio was the first live children’s play I saw—at the age of 6—and it made a vivid impression on me!” says director Janice Honeyman. “All these years later, I’m still digging and delving into this story, trying to conjure all its fun, humour, detail, atmosphere, and the host of rich lessons Collodi has to teach.”

This year’s Pinocchio explodes with music, dance, circus magic, puppet shows, techno-trains, pirate ships, and unforgettable characters—from the kindly Papa Geppetto to the mischievous Pussy Galore, and the ever-wise Jiminy Cricket.

“There’s music, dance, comedy, a puppet show, journeys into scary areas, and adventures into unknown zones! And everything Pinocchio experiences, you can take part in too!” Honeyman adds. “Expect stunning sets, crazy-colourful Commedia costumes, toe-tapping tunes, a silly sing-along, and bursts of belly laughs. It’s my fulsome, funny and heartfelt holiday gift to you all!”

Putting this all together, to create this magic behind the scenes is the dream team: Award-winning musical director Dale Ray, Naledi Theatre Award-winning costume designer Mariska Meyer, lighting designer Johan Ferreira, multi-Naledi Theatre Award-winning production designer Andrew Timm, Naledi Theatre Award-winning set designer Enos Ramoroko, sound designer Akhona Bozo and choreographer Khaya Ndlovu.

Audiences young and old will be swept up in Pinocchio’s wild and whimsical quest to become real—learning along with him about honesty, courage, kindness, and what it truly means to be human.

To add to this delightful panto, we have a world-class cast, who will be guiding us through the adventures of Pinocchio.

Our playful puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy, Pinocchio, will be played by the talented Katlego Nche. Bongi Archi will be playing his doting father and the toy maker Geppetto Spoletto.

The Blue Fairy of Goodness Gracious will be played by Gina Shmukler, and the ever-wise and kind-hearted Jiminy will be played by Sandi Dlangalala.

Dame Arletti Spaghetti is our over-the-top, Italian Mama and will be played by Tiaan Rautenbach.

Pinocchio is met by very naughty characters, who try to exploit and mislead him – they are the bad news spreaders, the mischievous makers and influence Pinocchio to be the naughtiest naughty of them all – let’s see if they succeed.

Our naughties are played by Mark Richardson as Strombolio, Luciano Zuppa as Masterigo and Fiddelomino, Brenda Radloff as Ill Fortunato Fox, Camilla Waldman as Pussy Galore, and Lesedi Rich as Lampwick.

The other talented cast members include (in alphabetical order): Bo Molefe, Brian Ngobese, Diego Hamity, Donovan Yaards, Inge Lochner, Jordan Rogers, Jordyn Schaefer, Lisa De Wet, Micah Stojakovic, Noluthando Mathebula, Nozi Phehane, Sax Ketshengane, Siya Makakane, Virtuous Kandemiri and Yahto Kraft.

Come see whether Pinocchio learns his lessons and becomes a real boy.

Let the Blue Fairy of Goodness Gracious guide your way—and don’t forget to bring your imagination and your inner child!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Get 30% off tickets if you book by 31 August.

Tickets are available at http://www.joburgtheatre.com

For school bookings: Contact Sizwe on thandisizwe@joburgtheatre.com or 011 877 6917, or Happiness on 011 877 6853 or email happiness@joburgtheatre.com

Parental guidance is advised – some adult humour is included.

Don’t miss this glittering, giggling, gloriously magical, no strings attached panto adventure.

Follow Joburg Theatre on all social media platforms #PinocchioSA

The post Janice Honeyman Returns With Pinocchio Pantomime 2025 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by David Simmons

I am always in awe of the Joburg theatre, especially how year after year, when the silly season snakes its way through the city, we are treated to another enchanting piece of Pantomime magic! The 2017 offering brings a nostalgic and somewhat meaningful story to life, where we get to experience a rollicking ride of make-believe magic, with the usual measures of uninhibited childlike pleasure. This delightful journey is brought to us by South Africa’s Queen of Pantomime, Janice Honeyman, and once again she has cleverly unwrapped a treasure trove of sparkles, adventure and sugar-coated fun. Over 3 decades of outlandish entertainment, together with scores of oddball characters to her name, Pinocchio is Honeymans 30^th panto, which brings to life a tradition of silliness in one energy-filled offering! With Panto number 31 already in the pipeline for 2018, Joburg Theatre’s annual dose of merriment has become entrenched in our yearly theatrical calendar.

Joburg Theatre’s annual Pantomime has once again fulfilled its promise of entertainment, with a slick and well thought-through script, accompanying an eclectic cast who deliver each and every animated gesture in true high-spirited style. The tradition of Joburg’s yearly festive season has charmed audience members, both young and old for decades. It’s encouraging to witness crowds flock to the Mandela stage of the Joburg Theatre to get their fix of celebratory fun. You may be asking yourself why we as adults so enjoy that youthful and childlike feeling, even if it’s for a couple of hours witnessing something truly fairy-tale like on stage? The answer for me, is simple. We all need one, if not two spoons full of unobtrusive fun and humour in our lives, and laughter is the one medicine we don’t need a prescription for! As the late comedian Joan Rivers once said “Every time you make someone laugh you’ve given them a small vacation”. Pinocchio, with its outlandish costumes, cross-dressing tradition and an all-South African cast, you’ll be treated to that much needed vacay you’ve been waiting for!

The age-old fable that we have all come to love, introduces us to the story of Gepetto’s son Pinocchio, a wooden puppet whose dream of becoming a real boy, eventually comes true. Pinocchio’s story is one of courage and discovery and together with Jiminy Cricket, played by the endearing Mark Tatham, they go on a roller-coaster adventure to Candyland and beyond. From a scenic Italian village to a faraway forest, all the way to the belly of a whopping big whale, we are taken on an uphill sing-a-long with the usual audience participation of Boo’s and Hisses!

We welcome back to the stage veteran stage and screen actor Tobie Cronje, who is no stranger to Honeyman’s Pantomimes. Cronje has become so ingrained in Panto history, that everyone always look forward to what character he will morph into. This time, there is no lipstick and beehive wigs as Cronje is decked out in true Gepetto style, with a toned-down woodcarver’s ensemble, together with moustache and glasses. He is almost unrecognisable except for that raspy voice full of warmth and impromptu comedic style.

Ilse Klink as Bella Bouboulina, the Blues Fairy, captivates the audience with her selfie stick and huge amounts of charming wit. Dame Arletti Spaghetti is played by the enormously talented Grant Towers who was just as fabulous as his extravagant and vibrant costumes. In true Panto style and with a theatrical twist to the story, Pinocchio is perfectly portrayed in true girl power style by Kanyi Nokwe. She is all sing and dance and gives a brilliant and syrupy sweet performance of the far-from-wooden-puppet. We can’t forget Andre Schwartz, an enormous presence on stage playing Il Fortunato, the Fox and Chi Mhende, whose interpretation of Pussy Galore, the Cat, was oh so villainous. Both engaging and energising to watch, Schwartz and Mhende are one feisty duo!

The sets are gorgeous with scenic changes one after the next, introducing kids and adults alike to different worlds of make believe. The dialogue and banter between the characters are fun and frivolous, and it’s great to see the performers poking fun at current issues and events, with an uninterrupted prescription of hilarity. Although children may not understand a number of the jokes and musical numbers on offer, they will certainly appreciate the sights and sounds of live theatre. We are introduced to many musical hits, some old and some new which will have you tapping your feet and clapping along to some of your favourites. Praise must be given to the band who effortlessly brought this production to life.

With a touch of fairy dust and a whole lot of colourful fun, Pinocchio is that perfect Christmas gift waiting to be unwrapped!

Pinocchio will be running at the Joburg Theatre until the 30^th of December 2017. Tickets are available at Webtickets or at the theatre

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